Although I don't have a CAT engine I was thinking about the serpentine belt length relative to this thread. On my Cummins ISB I changed my serpentine belt last summer using a cross reference Gates belt instead of the Cummins belt. Three weeks ago I started my MH and found the alternator seized. My thought is that the Gates belt was shorter than the Cummins belt. It seemed much more difficult to install because I had to move the tensioner further. I am wiser now and I just hope my water pump didn't get damaged.

Causes can be incorrect length belt, incorrect tensioner, use of different than speced alternator, A/C, etc (anything driven by that belt). Additionally, pulley mis-alignment can take out not just the belt, but cause excessive bearing wear.

I know of one manufacturer who had a rash of hydraulic pump failures. The cause-- excessive belt tension. Cure-- re-drill the detent hole in the pump bracket 15 degrees from OE hole to give less (but sufficient) belt tension.

Great info, guys. When I gave the broken serpentine belt to the Cat service Meg, he gave it to one of his guys to go and check to see If they had one in stock, the assumption being that it was the correct belt. So now I need to call the McRae on Monday and make sure that he is going to the book to find the right belt rather than assume that the right belt was in place. The previous repair facility may have installed the wrong belt. Got it. Great conversation. I appreciate the help.

Looks like it is a change over of a few items but under $300. Can't understand why I got charged about $200 for just my bearing, but when you are stuck in the desert at 10:30 at night, you tend not to complain too loudly.